St. Paul's major construction projects near completion

Twenty years ago, a badly-outdated civic arena greeted visitors where the Xcel Energy Center now entertains concert-goers and fans of the Minnesota Wild.

A decade ago, empty office buildings and shuttered warehouses stood where eateries such as Lowertown's Barrio and Bulldog restaurants now draw crowds.

A lot can change in 10 or 20 years -- or even five. Developers, both public and private, cooled their heels during the recession of 2007 to 2009, and then secured financing and put construction crews on the ground as the economy improved.

As a result, downtown projects such as the West Side Flats apartments, the Pioneer-Endicott revival, the Ordway expansion, the regional ballpark and the Central Corridor light rail are just beginning to come online. Big plans are afoot at the old post office tower on Kellogg Boulevard, and a new downtown Lunds grocery will open May 15.

Relative to 1994 or even 2004, you might call 2014 a whole new ballgame.

Up and down University Avenue, medical companies are inquiring about space for lease, and there's plenty. Remodels are underway on Vandalia Tower at 550 Vandalia St., the Suntide commercial building at 1000 W. University Ave., and the Central Midway building at 393 N. Dunlap St.

"With the light rail set to open, it's really going to be an exciting area," said Thomas Lelich, industrial real estate agent with CBRE. "There's already a surge of development along the corridor, and I think it's a direct result of the transportation line set to open in June."

Cecile Bedor, the city's outgoing director of planning and economic development, said the burst of activity along the Green Line and elsewhere in the city is no accident.

"The investments that have been made over the past decade are piquing the interest of developers and entrepreneurs to do business in St. Paul," she said.

DOWNTOWN

1. WEST SIDE FLATS

Sherman Associates has completed the 178-apartment riverfront complex at 84 S. Wabasha St. The $35 million project also includes commercial space. It was funded by a $23.5 million private loan insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in addition to $10 million in grants and loans from the city, Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Housing Finance Authority. Tenants began arriving in April.

2. THE PENFIELD

Tenants began moving into the six-story, 254-apartment building at 101 E. 10th St. in December. The $62 million project, developed by the city, is supported by a tax-increment financing district that recycles 25 years of property taxes back into the development. A Lunds grocery featuring Caribou Coffee, Big Bowl and additional tenants will open May 15.

3. THE ORDWAY

The 306-seat McKnight Theatre has been torn down to make way for a 1,100-seat concert hall. A production wing has also been added to the 345 Washington St. arts complex. The concert hall will be ready by Feb. 28, 2015. The Arts Partnership is leading a $79 million campaign for $39 million in construction costs, $8 million in transition funding, and $32 million toward endowment. Project includes state bond funds and $3 million in city Cultural STAR grants.

4. LOWERTOWN BALLPARK

In mid-April, the Ryan Cos. began laying the $63 million, 7,000-seat ballpark's foundation at Fifth and Broadway streets. It will be the future home of the St. Paul Saints. The main concourse, club-level structure and roof will go up this summer, and the scoreboard, seats and turf will be installed in the fall. The ballpark opens in May 2015. Funding has been provided by the city, the state and the Saints, as well as Met Council grants.

5. LAFAYETTE BRIDGE

The $125 million project includes building two U.S. 52 bridges -- northbound and southbound spans over the Mississippi River -- and work on nearby bridges. Work began in fall 2011 and wraps up next year.

6. PIONEER-ENDICOTT

The 120-year-old buildings at Fourth and Robert streets are being redeveloped into 234 apartments. More than 180 units have already been rented. Developers Rich Pakonen and Clint Blaiser have also leased space to the Minnesota Museum of American Art, a wine shop and skyway "live-work" art studios. The $40 million project relied on tax-increment finance funding from the city, as well as state and federal historic tax credits. The Met Council provided funding for the cleanup of asbestos and lead-based paint. The project included reopening the Jackson Street parking ramp.

7. PARK SQUARE THEATRE

After remodeling its 350-seat auditorium in the Historic Hamm Building in 2010, the theater's next big act is a second stage, which opens in September. The lower-level space includes 200 seats wrapped around three sides. The $3.5 million project, which includes a new lobby and production support space, received a $180,000 STAR grant from the city.

8. UNITED HOSPITAL

Allina Health and the United Hospital Foundation spent $18.5 million to nearly double the average size of 18 waiting rooms, their first big upgrade since the 1970s. The 333 N. Smith Ave. hospital completed the project in February.

9. GILLETTE CHILDREN'S

In 2013, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare spent $5 million to renovate the orthopedic/surgical inpatient unit at 200 E. University Ave.; create additional patient care space for psychology, neuropsychology and social work at Gillette's Lifetime Clinic at 435 Phalen Blvd.; and expand office space at 455 Phalen Blvd. This year, Gillette plans to remodel existing offices and conference rooms and create five more exam rooms at 435 Phalen Blvd.

10. REGIONS HOSPITAL

The hospital will devote $29.1 million to add 15,000 square feet to its patient care areas the next two years. By September, the hospital expects to unveil a $4.2 million remodeling and expansion of its cancer center. An acute rehab unit, which has expanded from 16 beds to 21 beds at a price tag of $5.5 million, could also open at the same time. In July, $4.5 million in work begins to relocate a helipad from the ground to a roof. A $14.9 million renovation for the cafeteria begins in June.

11. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

In 2013, Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota completed the 30,000-square-foot, $13 million Karen and George Benz Family Pediatric Neuroscience Center; the 6,000-square-foot, $1.1 million Children's Hospital Association Storybook Garden; and the 30,000-square-foot, $9.1 million medical surgical unit. This summer, it plans to start a remodel of the main entrance at 345 N. Smith Ave., including a new skyway link to the Sky Tower building. Children's is finalizing the 5,000-square-foot, $5.25 million design.

12. ST. PAUL ATHLETIC CLUB

With the final level completed just this month, the Hotel 340 now occupies three of the 13 floors at 340 Cedar St., home of the St. Paul Athletic Club, the College of St. Scholastica and the Global Language Institute.

13. TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION

TPT at 172 E. Fourth St. is close to reaching a $30 million capital campaign goal. A $9 million state bonding request could launch an $18 million remodel of the 25-year-old facility, including added space for public screenings, art exhibits, concerts and lectures. TPT's "storefront" would also move from the skyway level to the street.

14. CUSTOM HOUSE

The 17-story U.S. post office at 180 E. Kellogg Blvd. could house 200 apartments, 150 hotel rooms, restaurants and self-storage space, as well as 400 parking stalls. Expect plans to change with time. The Exeter Group paid $5.25 million for the building. Built in 1934 with later additions, the Art Deco-style building has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places, which would help secure historic tax credits. Exeter has requested $850,000 in grants from the Met Council for asbestos and lead-paint abatement.

15. KELLOGG SQUARE

Bigos Management bought the 32-story, 450-apartment building at 111 E. Kellogg Blvd. for $51 million in 2012. Significant upgrades include a ground-level fitness center, a business center, a remodeled pool, a rooftop deck and new skyway-level apartments. Some 300 apartments are being remodeled, and the lobby will be redone before the end of the year. Bigos is also remodeling 366 apartments and common space in the Galtier Towers in Lowertown, with work likely to be finished by mid-2015.

16. CROWNE PLAZA AND DOUBLETREE

Renovations are underway at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel at 11 E. Kellogg Blvd., which will be converted into an InterContinental Hotel; and at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 411 Minnesota St. At the Crowne Plaza, demolition work on the east side of the tower is complete and floors 14-21 have been remodeled. Work has also begun in the meeting rooms; lobbies are next. By mid-June, the DoubleTree will add a restaurant, a new Minnesota Street entrance and updates to the lobby. Costs, according to permits for both projects, total about $20 million.

17. CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Museum officials hope to complete funding this year for a $28 million expansion at 10 W. Seventh St. A state bonding proposal would dedicate $14 million to increase gallery and visitor amenities. Exhibits will be renovated to integrate research on child and brain development. If funded, ground would be broken in 2015.

18. RAYETTE LOFTS

Sherman Associates is almost ready to debut the next evolution of the century-old Rayette warehouse at 261 E. Fifth St. By this fall, the seven-story building -- most recently a parking ramp -- will reopen as 88 apartment lofts. The $23 million project includes retail space and underground parking.

19. PEDRO PARK

Pedro's Luggage at 501 N. Robert St. closed in 2008, and the land was given to the city to be converted into a park. Demolition has moved forward, but funding and planning have yet to fall into place.

20. PALACE THEATRE

Mayor Chris Coleman has proposed buying the Palace on Seventh Place from the Kelly Bros., tearing out the main floor seating and reviving the shuttered 1916 vaudeville theater as a 3,000-person concert venue. The $12 million plan would rely on $6 million in state bond funding and $1 million from gifts and foundations. The city would put in $5 million, with the expectation the money would be paid back with generated revenue.

21. SKYWAY ELEVATOR

An elevator tower at Fifth and Cedar streets will connect skyway walkers to light rail's Central Station below. The $1.77 million project is funded by an $800,000 federal grant received by Metro Transit and $970,000 from the Green Line's construction contingency fund.

22. SEVEN CORNERS HARDWARE

Founded in 1933, the hardware store at 216 W. Seventh St. will close by the end of May. Opus development group has confirmed it plans to tear down the shop and adjacent Free at Last Church of God in Christ to erect a "mixed-use" building. Expect retail, office and possibly restaurant space, though speculators haven't ruled out a boutique hotel.

23. MACY'S, RIVER BLUFFS, CENTRAL STATION AND 7 CORNERS GATEWAY

In January, the St. Paul Port Authority paid $3 million for the vacant Macy's at 411 Cedar St., with plans of shopping the building and adjoining 590-stall parking ramp to potential buyers. In March, a task force showed off concept plans for that and three other downtown sites. None has a developer attached. The plans envision a hotel, a ballroom and retail and event space fronting the Xcel Energy Center. A hotel and a residential tower could replace buildings on the Kellogg Boulevard river bluffs. A boutique hotel, condos and retail could replace Macy's and available property across Wabasha Street. And a future office, retail and condo building could be built around the Central Station light-rail stop.

24. STATE CAPITOL

The Capitol is undergoing a $272 million face-lift that would continue into January 2017. In addition, construction could begin this summer on a new $77 million Senate office building, which has drawn legal challenges. Construction of a new $16.8 million, four-level, 532-vehicle parking ramp is underway next to the Minnesota Transportation Building with a scheduled opening in December.

CENTRAL CORRIDOR

25. GREEN LINE

After four years of construction, the light-rail line connecting the St. Paul and Minneapolis downtowns will carry its first passengers on June 14. Construction of Metro Transit's 11-mile Central Corridor, or Green Line, cost $957 million. Major funding came from the state and federal government, the Met Council and the Counties Transit Improvement Board.

26. UNION DEPOT

After a $243 million remodel, the Union Depot transit hub on Kellogg Boulevard reopened at the end of 2012 with its key tenants delayed. Greyhound joined Metro Transit, Jefferson Bus Lines and Megabus in March. Amtrak's first trains to the depot arrived May 7. Agency Nord, a marketing firm, moved in this April.

27. SEARS

Development plans for the 14-acre Sears site at 425 Rice St. were announced in January 2013, but Sears is trying to pin down future tenants before moving forward. Concept plans called for two retail buildings on the southeast side of the existing store and two more to the southwest; a four-story office building on the northeast corner; and 121 apartments and 18 townhomes in the northwest corner. The Sears Auto Center would be relocated to the Sears store, which would remain open.

28. OLD HOME DAIRY

The vacant plant at 370 W. University Ave., could be converted into Western University Plaza, 60 affordable apartments, through a partnership between Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corp. and the Sand Cos. They hope to qualify for historic tax credits. The $16 million project would include commercial space, but 13 townhomes have been dropped from a proposed second phase.

29. CENTRAL EXCHANGE, BROWNSTONE

Model Cities is trying to pin down financing for two projects along University Avenue, which together would comprise 50 to 60 units of affordable housing. Total price tag: $21 million. Early designs for Central Exchange called for a $9 million, three-story development at 773-785 W. University Ave., though plans are still being finalized. Brownstone would be a four-floor building at 839 W. University Ave.

30. HAMLINE STATION

Project for Pride in Living and the Anderson Cos. will break ground in July on a block-long, two-building, four-story development at 1333 W. University Ave., the former Midway Chevrolet used car lot. The $23 million project will offer 108 units of affordable rentals, underground parking and commercial space. The Met Council provided more than $3 million for site acquisition, infrastructure and environmental cleanup, and the city is investing more than $2 million in loans payable from future property taxes. The buildings could open by late 2015.

31. MIDWAY CORNERS

Developer Kent Carlson and the Anderson Cos. have revised site plans for redeveloping the old Midway Chevrolet showroom at 1389 W. University Ave. into retail space. The Met Council has assisted with cleanup grants, and discussions have been held with neighbors over parking concerns. Costs were once estimated at $2.4 million, but that's likely to go up.

32. YMCA

The St. Paul Midway YMCA is seeking a $15 million to $16 million makeover. Fundraising has begun, but the goal is to demolish the building at 1761 W. University Ave. in late 2015 and build a state-of-the-art replacement.

33. EPISCOPAL HOMES

By this fall, Episcopal Homes will open Midway Village, a 168-unit mix of market-rate and affordable senior residences. The $45 million project replaces the old Porky's at 1890 W. University Ave. The Met Council contributed $1.5 million, plus $500,000 to improve Iris Park and Lynnhurst Avenue. Additional funding came from HUD, St. Paul, Minnesota Housing, local foundations, private donations and a tax-exempt bond issue from the city.

34. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

At a price tag of $7.6 million, the three-story Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity headquarters at 1954 W. University Ave. sits closer to the sidewalk than the two-story building it replaced. Energy costs are less expensive, thanks to environmentally efficient HVAC systems, insulated windows and open-air work stations close to natural light.

35. PRIOR CROSSING

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is looking for financing to build a $9 million, 44-unit housing development for homeless youth at 1949 W. University Ave. Site demolition is complete. The project has received commitments for more than $1 million from the House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Met Council.

36. 2700 UNIVERSITY

Proposals for 2700 W. University Ave. that once called for a nine-story building, City Limits, now call for a five-level, 248-unit housing structure. About 20 percent could be affordable housing. Indianapolis-based Flaherty and Collins are the latest developers attached to the $51.4 million "mixed-use" project.

37. BUS BARN

The Met Council and St. Paul are studying the old Metro Transit bus barn and adjoining lot behind Midway Shopping Center for development. Discussions have included shopping center owners RK Midway LLC. Consultants are developing recommendations for a "transit-oriented" project on the entire 34.5 acres.

38. GOODWILL

At 1225 W. University Ave., Goodwill plans to convert a vacant Whitaker Buick dealership into a two-story building with a Goodwill store on the first level and offices on the second. Neighbor parking concerns are being addressed. The existing 553 Fairview Ave. Goodwill will remain open to collect donations.

39. CENTRAL MIDWAY

New owners fixing up the former Central Medical building have given it a new name: Central Midway. Built in 1967, the nine-story office building at 393 N. Dunlap St. is being remodeled to fit new tenants. Bloomington-based Central Midway LLC bought the site in 2012 for $1.4 million.

40. 550 VANDALIA/VANDALIA TOWER

Peter Remes and First and First LLC have big plans for 550-558 Vandalia St., a 200,000-square-foot office and warehouse building that could become a centerpiece of the "Creative Enterprise Zone" near St. Anthony Park. Remes, who is renovating the former King Koil mattress factory, has spoken of adding a brewery, a self-service beer garden and tech companies to the existing tenant list. The red brick building and its iconic water tower sit on 5 acres.

41. SUNTIDE

Suntide Commercial Realty has spent the past nine months renovating 1000-1010 W. University Ave. into office space. The two-story brick building was built in 1913 to house the Curtis Printing Co. The restoration added basement parking, a new roof, windows, elevators, and energy-efficient heating and cooling.

42. SILGAN CONTAINER

Orton Development recently bought the Silgan Container factory at 755 N. Prior Ave. for $1.4 million. The oldest part of the factory, which sits on 9 acres, dates to 1889. Silgan, which landed there in 1987, left a few years ago. Orton also spent $550,000 to buy the Wycliff Industrial Center -- the former Fisher Nut plant -- at 2327 Wycliff St.

NEIGHBORHOODS

43. HAZELDEN

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation will devote $25 million to double treatment capacity at its 680 Stewart Ave. campus. By October 2015, an existing building will be remodeled and a new building will offer more outpatient chemical health services. By April 2016, the existing "mansion" will be renovated for expanded outpatient mental health clinic and administrative services.

44. U.S. BANK BUILDING

The building at 2751 Shepard Road has been demolished. No word yet from the Johnson Bros. on what will be built on that site.

45. HMONG COLLEGE PREP

The school at 1515 Brewster St. completed an addition last October that includes new classrooms, a second gym and lunchroom, a performance space and a technology lab. The $17.5 million project moved forward with the help of bonds issued by St. Paul but paid for by the school.

46. GRAND AND FINN

Developer Graham Merry completed a five-story, $3.1 million student apartment building along Grand Avenue at Finn Street last year and now plans a second one. The proposed West Grand Avenue apartments at 2138 Grand Ave. would replace two homes and a duplex with a four-story, 14-unit apartment building near the University of St. Thomas. It would have up to 56 bedrooms above a 25-stall parking structure, with four stalls in the alley.

47. SCHMIDT BREWERY

Dominium Development has renovated the Bottle House at the old Jacob Schmidt Brewing Co. into lofts, which are fully occupied by artists and creative workers. The Brew House, which will be ready by mid-June, is almost fully pre-leased. Thirteen townhomes on the site are full. The $123 million project relied on public and private funds, including a tax-increment financing district. The West Seventh/Fort Road Federation has put the Rathskeller and Keg House up for sale.

48. FORD MOTOR CO.

The 86-year-old Highland Park plant closed in 2011. Crews will finish demolishing the campus this year. The showroom facade has been preserved in pieces for possible later use. In 2015, a request for proposals will seek a master developer. Environmental cleanup could stretch to 2018.

49. ROLLING HILLS

Lutheran Social Services partnered with developers Clint Blaiser and Rich Pakonen to rehab the 1960s-era Rolling Hills apartments, with a $14.6 million face-lift of six buildings at 1319-1335 Westminster St. Work on the 108 units should be done in June. The project, boosted by a $1 million loan and $1 million in tax credits from the city, includes a new medical clinic exam room.

50. CAYUGA PROJECT

The Interstate 35E interchange at Pennsylvania Avenue will be replaced this year with a new one at Cayuga Street. Work along I-35E from University to Maryland avenues will include a new frontage road and bridges. The $116 million project will be complete by 2015.

51. STARKEY STREET

Bolander Construction has renovated its office-warehouse building at 222 Starkey St. The project -- which cost $1.1 million for acquisition and construction -- received about $300,000 in environmental cleanup grants from the Met Council and city STAR funds.

52. ASSOCIATED BANK

The Ryan Cos. will tear down the Associated Bank at 1573 Selby Ave. and replace it with The Vintage, 210 market-rate apartments and a Whole Foods. Construction of a new Associated Bank building is underway nearby on Dayton Avenue. The grocery is expected to open in 2016, replacing one at 30 S. Fairview Ave.

53. COMO ZOO

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has asked state lawmakers for $8.9 million in bonding money for parking, traffic and access improvements, and $14 million for a year-round outdoor extension of its marine mammal building, including a new pool and amphitheater.

54. HAMM'S BREWERY

The same "sky blue waters" that made Hamm's Beer a local favorite now circulates through the first floor of the Hamm's Brewery's stockhouse at 680 E. Minnehaha Ave., the new home of Urban Organics, a hydroponic fish and produce-grower. The company received $300,000 in city grants and loans for the $1.2 million renovation. It now plans to buy the building from the city and renovate the remaining five floors. Flat Earth Brewery and 11 Wells Distillery are moving in next door.

55. SUMMIT BREWERY

Last fall, Summit Brewing Co. finished a $7 million expansion that added 12 fermentation tanks and doubled production capacity with new cellar space. The company, at 910 Montreal Circle, also bought a neighboring warehouse and 3.5 acres of land for $2.3 million. The buildings are now connected by an elevated pipeline, and a $3 million canning line will debut this month.

56. METRO STATE

Metropolitan State University broke ground this spring on a $17 million, 760-stall parking ramp at 400 Maria Ave. Construction is expected to take about 10 months. Work on a new $11.6 million student center begins in June, and designs have been completed for a new science building that could open by January 2016.

Minnetonka-based Waters Senior Living plans to build a $23 million, 84-unit senior living residence at 678 S. Snelling Ave., complete with underground parking. The building will replace a Bradshaw Funeral Home.

59. URBAN GROWLER, TAP ROOMS

Urban Growler at 2325 Endicott St., near Energy Park Drive, is a taproom with purse hooks, shorter stools and other female-friendly flourishes indicative of its owners, female newlyweds riding the local brew craze. There's an open house July 18-19. Bang Brewery on Capp Road, Burning Brothers Brewing at Thomas and Wheeler, Tin Whiskers on Robert Street and the Summit Brewing Beer Hall on Montreal Circle are among the new options for taproom fans.

60. MISSISSIPPI MARKET/DOMINIUM

Mississippi Market is planning a third natural foods store. The $10 million, two-level building at 740 E. Seventh St. would span 23,000 square feet and open by July 2015. Dominium plans a four-story building with about 110 units of affordable independent senior apartments on adjoining land. The two projects are applying to the Met Council, Ramsey County and the state for about $200,000 in environmental remediation funds.

61. DOROTHY DAY

Catholic Charities had hoped to replace its overcrowded Dorothy Day Center with a five-level shelter and housing facility and an adjoining job center at 321 Grove St., but the $63 million relocation was dropped amid community opposition. Catholic Charities still plans to pursue a major expansion in or around its current shelter at 183 W. Old Sixth St.

62. 234-238 BATES

St. Paul is negotiating with the Sand Cos. to rehab a 12-unit apartment building at 234-238 Bates Ave. Sand is seeking a federal historic designation through the National Park Service for the building. Price tag: $1.85 million-$2 million.

PORT AUTHORITY

63. MERIDIAN

The new Meridian Industrial Center at 650 Pelham Road is moving in its last few tenants. After winning a lawsuit against St. Paul over design challenges, Industrial Equities completed its $5 million office-warehouse building last summer.

64. GERDAU STEEL

The $51 million in upgrades to the 1678 Red Rock Road plant continue. The project includes a new main building, caster and auxiliary buildings. The Port Authority contributed a $500,000 forgivable loan, and the Minnesota Investment Fund added $250,000.

65. FORM-A-FEED

Form-a-Feed Inc. will spend about $1 million to build an animal feed and fertilizer handling and mixing center at the Port Authority's Southport Terminal slip.

66. INTERSTATE PARTNERS

The company has worked with the Port Authority to build a 58,000- square-foot "flex" office and warehouse building on 4 acres at 1065 Phalen Blvd. It is within Beacon Bluff, which spans the former 3M campus. The $4 million project is underway.

67. LOOMIS ARMORED

The armored-car company will move into a new 15,000-square-foot building at 999 E. Seventh St. The Exeter Group is developing the 2-acre, $3.3 million project, which will bring at least 75 jobs to Beacon Bluff this year. Exeter has also improved parking and landscaping at a neighboring 5-acre site, which houses Building 21 -- the old 3M headquarters.

68. UPPER RIVER SERVICES

The towing and barge-cleaning repair company is awaiting building permits to construct a 2 1/2-story office building and engine repair shop off Alabama Street, near their Mississippi River floating repair center. Expected cost: $2 million.

69. MIDWAY STADIUM

With the St. Paul Saints leaving Midway Stadium after this season, demolition of the Energy Park Drive ballpark could begin before the end of the year. Officials envision adding the 13-acre site, in the Port Authority's Energy Park Business Center, to the industrial zone. The Saints are moving into a new ballpark downtown.

70. 180 DEGREES

Through a tax credit program, the Port Authority helped 180 Degrees build a 12,000-square-foot, $4 million facility at Johnson Parkway and East Seventh Street. 180 Degrees provides shelter and programs for young girls caught up in sex trafficking. The 45-bed shelter will open Aug. 1.

PARKS AND REC

71. ARLINGTON HILLS

The Arlington Hills Community Center that opens May 22 at Payne and Maryland avenues combines a library, a rec center, a teen center, a kitchen, a computer lab and community rooms in one building. The $14 million center spans 41,155 square feet.

72. TROUT BROOK NATURE SANCTUARY

The submerged Trout Brook will see the light of day when the nature sanctuary opens next spring. The sanctuary spans 42 acres of former industrial land west of Interstate 35E between Norpac Road and Cayuga Avenue. Its conversion represents $10 million in acquisition, design and cleanup costs. A facility with restrooms and a nearby picnic area will sit near filtration ponds that feed the brook. Construction began last fall and will enter high gear this summer.

73. LILYDALE REGIONAL PARK

Funded by $2.1 million from Legacy Amendment funds, the first phase last summer capped soil pollution and shifted the road away from Pickerel Lake while adding bike lanes and parking. Phase 2 will continue the improvements this summer from the park's railroad bridge toward Harriet Island, all funded by $2.5 million from the Legacy Amendment, the Met Council and Parks Conservancy.

74. PALACE REC CENTER

A remodel of the rec center at 781 Palace Ave., being planned since 2008, is in sight. The city approved $530,000 in design and engineering funds for what could be a $5.8 million project. Work could begin in 2015.

75. FROGTOWN PARK AND FARM

The Trust for Public Land paid the Wilder Foundation $2.2 million for a 12.7-acre parcel near Minnehaha and Victoria avenues. The land will be conveyed to St. Paul for a park and a 5.5-acre urban farm. Park construction could start in June and be ready by fall. Work on the farm begins next year.

76. VICTORIA PARK

A new 27-acre park is planned for land from the former ExxonMobil tank farm off Otto Avenue and West Seventh Street. The cost has yet to be finalized and soil remediation will continue through 2015. The adjoining Koch/Flint Hills land has been mostly redeveloped into town homes, Nova Academy charter school, Mississippi Market, Shalom Home, and 215 new apartments being built by Chase Real Estate opening this year.

77. BRUCE VENTO NATURE SANCTUARY

Dan McGuiness, director of the Lower Phalen Creek Project, seeks to convert the 1918 Standard Oil warehouse in the nature sanctuary into the $9 million Wakan Tipi Center by 2017. At Fourth and Commercial streets, the four-level brick building could house an interpretative center, a local "food hub," a magnet school, and arts and conservation groups. He's seeking $3.5 million in state bond money.